My vote goes to Friedel. I honestly didn't think he'd get the starting nod in the WC over Keller. But he won it and took our squad to new world level. Plus he had a stellar season for Blackburn and was instrumental in getting them into the UEFA Cup.
Donovan the winner, and really who can argue given his 6 World Cup goals: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/10/08/sports1617EDT0208.DTL
From http://www.sweetspotsoccer.com/headlines/a/2002/01/30.html: "U.S. Soccer's Chevrolet Male and Female Athletes of the Year awards are ... based on competing and excelling at the highest level of soccer offered by U.S. Soccer for the calendar year, as well as exhibiting decorum on and off the field that contributes to the growing popularity and credibility of the sport in the United States." And, as an extra bonus, here's a partial list of past winners of both awards. http://www.soccertimes.com/facts/usa/usplayer.htm
The Power of Cheese The award gets a mocking commentary on SC from John Anderson, formerly at KOMU and then in Tulsa, after which he moved to Phoenix where apparently his 'style' didn't mesh with the local newscast. He then got the call up to the bigs at SC, where apparently, they are trying to "back off from that smart-aleck" SC reputation. Really... Uh, John, when was the last time you won a major award in your field and got to be mocked on national television for your effort? Regardless, whether its soccer, field hockey, volleyball, whatever, the kid has worked his a** off for this moment in his life, he has friends and family, and then he gets -- what? -- a 20 second mention and a slap in the face? Okay, Donavon's a big boy and he makes lots of money, so he probably doesn't care, but man you look really low class pulling stunts like that. Ask, yourself the next time you are going to slag a soccer player, team, whatever: would I do this to the MVP of any other sport I don't care about? Thanks, Joe